Manna -Bread from Heaven

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. – Exodus 16:4

As I’m writing today, there are large snowflakes slowly falling outside my window. It’s a very creative way for God to give me a visual while teaching me about His generous provision and my strong will.

In the Old Testament we are told about the provision of God through Manna. It was bread from heaven that He rained down on the Israelites while they were in the wilderness. They were given specific instructions about how much to gather each day and warned about gathering too much. If they gathered more than they needed it would rot.

When I read this story I had an honest moment with myself. If I had been there in the wilderness, hungry and complaining just as they were, I would have gathered more than allowed. It’s a terrible but true admission.

I know this because I do the same now. When I’m in a trial (the wilderness) I get tired and hungry for relief which often leads to complaining. Then I take matters into my own hands, worrying and stressing about what could happen and that generally leads to sinning against God and not trusting His way and His provision in my life.

Today’s passage tells us that God is doing this to test us and see if we will follow His instructions. His Word tells us not to worry, to cease complaining and to trust that He knows what’s best.

Sometimes His provision may not look like what we expect, but it is always given at the exact moment we need it and is more than enough. It’s all part of learning to trust Him…completely.

Father, thank you for Your generous provision in my life. Please forgive me for taking more than I should which is sinning against You. I want to see Your daily faithfulness in my life as the beautiful gift that it is. In Jesus’ name, amen.